This car has been superseded by a newer model, click here to go to the latest Kia Rio Hatchback review.

Kia Rio Hatchback (2011 - 2017) practicality

06 June 2019 by Simon McBride

Parkers overall rating: 4 out of 5 4.0

The Rio recieved the maximum five star rating in Euro NCAP crash testing, improving on the previous generation's four star rating. Standard safety kit includes electronic stability control (ESC), electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD), emergency brake assist (EBA), ABS, twin front, side and curtain airbags and seat belt pre-tensioners. Kia Rio safety has further been enhanced with has Emergency Stop Signalling, which warns following drivers of danger by flashing the high-mounted brake light three times when the car brakes sharply.

It may be 55mm longer than the Ford Fiesta - and it does feel roomier inside – but the Rio has less boot space. The Fiesta measures 295 litres while the Rio has 288 litres, although that’s three litres more than a Vauxhall Corsa. Fold the seats and the boot space expands to 923 litres, making the loading of golf clubs a lot easier. Cabin storage includes a well-sized glovebox, cupholders and a tray in front of the gear lever and a central console box – an ideal hideaway for your MP3 player while on the move.

There's also a handy slot in the dash - useful for pay-as-you-exit car park tickets.

Basic equipment

The basic equipment list includes equipment that is standard across all versions of the Kia Rio (11-17).

3x3 point rear seat belts
ABS
Alarm
Audio remote
Body coloured bumpers
CD
Driver`s airbag
Folding rear seats
Front electric windows
Height adjustable drivers seat
Isofix child seat anchor points
PAS
Passenger`s airbag
Remote locking
Side airbags

Equipment by trim level

To view equipment options for a specific trim level, please select from the following list:

Equipment included on some trim levels
Air conditioning Alloy wheels Cloth seat trim Cruise control Electric mirrors Electric sunroof Front fog lights Heated mirrors Heated seats Leather seat trim Parking sensors Rear electric windows Sat Nav Space saver spare wheel Steel wheels Steering wheel rake adjustment Steering wheel reach adjustment

1 standard equipment
Cloth seat trim Electric mirrors Steel wheels

1 optional equipment
Heated mirrors Space saver spare wheel Steering wheel rake adjustment Steering wheel reach adjustment

1 Air standard equipment
Air conditioning Cloth seat trim Steel wheels Steering wheel rake adjustment Steering wheel reach adjustment

1 Air optional equipment
Electric mirrors Heated mirrors Space saver spare wheel

1 Air EcoDynamics standard equipment
Air conditioning Cloth seat trim Steel wheels Steering wheel rake adjustment Steering wheel reach adjustment

1 Air EcoDynamics optional equipment
None available

2 standard equipment
Air conditioning Alloy wheels Cloth seat trim Electric mirrors Front fog lights Heated mirrors Steering wheel rake adjustment Steering wheel reach adjustment

2 optional equipment
Parking sensors Rear electric windows Space saver spare wheel

2 EcoDynamics standard equipment
Air conditioning Alloy wheels Cloth seat trim Electric mirrors Front fog lights Heated mirrors Steering wheel rake adjustment Steering wheel reach adjustment

2 EcoDynamics optional equipment
None available

3 standard equipment
Air conditioning Alloy wheels Cloth seat trim Cruise control Electric mirrors Front fog lights Heated mirrors Heated seats Parking sensors Steering wheel rake adjustment Steering wheel reach adjustment

3 optional equipment
Rear electric windows Sat Nav Space saver spare wheel

3 EcoDynamics standard equipment
Air conditioning Alloy wheels Cloth seat trim Cruise control Electric mirrors Front fog lights Heated mirrors Heated seats Parking sensors Steering wheel rake adjustment Steering wheel reach adjustment

3 EcoDynamics optional equipment
None available

4 standard equipment
Air conditioning Alloy wheels Cruise control Electric mirrors Electric sunroof Front fog lights Heated mirrors Heated seats Leather seat trim Parking sensors Rear electric windows Steering wheel rake adjustment Steering wheel reach adjustment

4 optional equipment
Sat Nav Space saver spare wheel

SE standard equipment
Air conditioning Alloy wheels Cloth seat trim Cruise control Electric mirrors Front fog lights Heated mirrors Parking sensors Rear electric windows Space saver spare wheel Steering wheel rake adjustment Steering wheel reach adjustment

SE optional equipment
None available

SR7 standard equipment
Air conditioning Alloy wheels Cloth seat trim Electric mirrors Heated mirrors Parking sensors Space saver spare wheel Steering wheel rake adjustment Steering wheel reach adjustment

SR7 optional equipment
Rear electric windows Steel wheels

VR7 standard equipment
Air conditioning Alloy wheels Cloth seat trim Electric mirrors Heated mirrors Parking sensors Steering wheel rake adjustment Steering wheel reach adjustment

VR7 optional equipment
Rear electric windows Space saver spare wheel Steel wheels

Euro NCAP Rating – 5 stars

The Kia Rio (11-17) was tested by Euro NCAP in 2011 and was awarded a 5 star overall rating. This overall rating is calculated from the following individual ratings:

Test 2011

Individual safety ratings
Adult Occupant:	92%
Child Occupant:	84%
Vulnerable Road Users:	46%
Safety Assist:	86%

Euro NCAP provides motoring consumers with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe. The safety ratings are determined from a series of vehicle tests, designed and carried out by Euro NCAP. These tests represent, in a simplified way, important real life accident scenarios that could result in injured or killed car occupants or other road users.